Sri Chinmoy : The Peace Meditation at the United Nations participated in the programme at the NY Queens Museum in Celebration of

2012 Nelson Mandela International Day

7/18 for Mandela:

A United Nations Academic Impact Initiative in Association with UNA-Queens Chapter and Queens Museum of Art

Present an Evening of Performances and Discussion Celebrating the 94th Birthday of Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela spent 67 years of his life in public service, fighting apartheid, promoting human rights and creating a culture of peace and understanding. In recognition of his service, the United Nations in 2009 declared 7/18 (18 July) – his birthday – as Nelson Mandela Day.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon states: “A healer of nations and a mentor to generations, Nelson Mandela – or Madiba as he is affectionately known by millions – is a living symbol of wisdom, courage and integrity.”

This year, on Mandela’s 94th birthday, the United Nations Academic Impact invites you to be part of its initiative, 7/18 for Mandela. In New York, everyone in the 718 calling area is encouraged to think creatively and act collectively to “give back.” That would be the best way to honor “Madiba” on his birthday. Queens Museum of Art and UNA-Queens Chapter respond with this event.

Schedule

6pm             Light Reception & Welcoming Remarks by Tom Finkelpearl, Executive Director, Queens Museum of Art

6:10pm       Live Musical Performance by the UNSRC Jazz Society

6:45pm       Move to the Theater for Introductory Remarks: Hasan Ferdous (UNAI), John Tandana (UNA-Queens)

7pm              Short Biographical Film on Mandela

7:10pm       Mandingo Osceola Tshaka, Queens-based African American Activist & Singer

7:20pm       Remarks by the Permanent Representative of Cape Verde to the United Nations H.E. Ambassador Antonio Pedro Monteiro Lima

740-8 pm   Open Mic – up to 67 -Seconds-long Birthday Toasts to “Madiba”

8-8:15 pm    Singers from the Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations

8:15-8:20     Pianist Anh Nguyen

8-8:15pm     Closing Remarks, Prerana Reddy (Queens Museum)

For resources on Mandela Day:

http://www. un. org/en/events/mandeladay/

Nelson Mandela’s Life Story; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9xtS57534Y

Nelson Mandela at the United Nations; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOr4F2eNDq8&feature=relmfu

Marking Nelson Mandela Day, UN urges action by all to make world a better place; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUOHD4f41 WU&feature=relmf !d

The United Nations Academic Impact is a United Nations initiative that aligns schools of higher learning and research with the United Nations and with each other to advance the goals of the United Nations in the areas of peace, human rights and sustainable development. For more, please visit: outreach.un.org/unai

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Co-Presenting Organizations QUEENS MUSEUM OF ART  and UNA- USA

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Lyrics to songs performed by singers from

Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations

at the 2012 Nelson Mandela International Day event,

18 July 2012

organized jointly by the Queens Museum of Art,

the UN Academic Impact’s “7/18 for Mandela” initiative

and the Queens Chapter of the UN Association of the USA

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S0ng by Sri Chinmoy, dedicated to President Nelson Mandela,

whose autobiography is entitled Long Walk to Freedom:

Long walk to freedom, long walk to freedom

To be a child of oneness-kingdom.

Long walk to freedom, long, long, long:

Our proudest victory’s sweetest song.

Quotations 0f President Nelson Mandela set to music by Sri Chinmoy:

“You must vow to turn misfortunes into victory.”

“Any man that tries to rob me of my dignity will lose.”

“I am not truly free if I am taking away someone else’s freedom.”

“I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.”

Lyrics of song written by Sri Chinmoy and presented to Nelson Mandela in 1990:

Nelson Mandela, torture-sufferer supreme,

High Heaven’s Smile and earth’s solace-dream.

Your heart has won the world’s admiration-choice.

Within, without, a perfect justice-voice.

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President Mandela and Grara Machel with Sri Chinmoy in New York.

About the Composer:

SRI CHINMOY (1931-2007) first met President Mandela at the United Nations in 1990, in the context of Sri Chinmoy’s service as leader of Peace Meditations for delegates and staff at UN Headquarters. The two met again on several occasions – in South Africa and in New York – and Sri Chinmoy treasured President Mandela as a beloved brother and revered friend, composing several songs in his honour.

Some of the singers who are here tonight were fortunate to perform these songs for the President himself during these meetings.

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Talking points and running order for 18 July 2012 Nelson Mandela Day event at the Queens Museum of Art

Adhiratha Keefe:

On behalf of Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations, I would like to thank the organizers for inviting us to participate in this significant 7 /18 Initiative. It is especially meaningful to us because when Sri Chinmoy first met President Mandela, in 1990, it was in the context of Sri Chinmoy’s service as leader of Peace Meditations for delegates and staff at UN Headquarters.

The two met again on several occasions – in South Africa and in New York – and Sri Chinmoy treasured President Mandela as a beloved brother and revered friend. Indeed, finding in President Mandela a leader for all peoples,Sri Chinmoy was moved to compose several songs in his honour. Some of the singers who are here tonight were fortunate to perform these songs for the President himself during these meetings.

The first song – Long Walk to Freedom – was inspired by the title of the President’s autobiography. It will be followed by four of the President’s immortal utterances set to music by Sri Chinmoy.

Finally, the singers will perform the main song dedicated to the President, with their own harmonic arrangement, which we hope you will enjoy.

Before the singers begin, we would like to offer an excerpt from President Mandela’s soul-stirring inaugural address, followed by Sri Chinmoy’s inspirational commentary. –

Bhashwar Hart:

In his inaugural address, Mr. Mandela said:

“We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom …

We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success.

We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for national building, for the birth of a new world.”

Kanan Roberts:

Inspired by these words, Sri Chinmoy commented:

“There can never be an easy road for the pioneer-climbers of freedom-heights, for unless and until they have guided each and every person to the summit, they shall not rest.

“Beloved Brother, President Mandela, an entire nation follows in your footsteps – and behind it I see the vast caravan of humanity.”

Singers:

Long Walk to Freedom

Four quotes

Nelson Mandela, with arrangement

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